This International Women’s Day, ISV continues to encourage women locally and globally to think, imagine and dream about what they wish to be, wish to accomplish and achieve in their lives, no matter how big or small. (c) ISV

Over the past few seasons, approximately 80% of ISV students have been female. (c) ISV

In the past few seasons, around 80% of our ISV students have been female, showing that the desire to travel, expand horizons and push personal boundaries is ever present. From construction, to field research, sports, teaching and community support groups; to pre-vet work, healthcare assistance and gaining academic credit, girls and women around the world are designing their own futures.

Over the years, ISV has been fortunate enough to work with some incredible host organizations who’ve played a vital role in empowering woman in each of our destinations.

DEPDC in Northern Thailand was established to prevent vulnerable young women from being forced into the sex trade and other conditions of exploitation. (c) ISV

For example, the Development and Education Programme for Daughters and Communities (DEPDC) in Northern Thailand was established to prevent vulnerable young women from being forced into the sex trade and other conditions of exploitation. This incredibly important NGO offers full-time accommodation for children, shelter for survivors of trafficking, runs leadership and human rights training programs and more. ISV has sent over a dozen groups since we began working with DEPDC in 2007 to assist with a variety of tasks, such as facilitating workshops and activities, infrastructure development at the project site and much more.

Laura, a founding partner of ASOMOBI (c) ILLY

Furthermore, ISV has been working with a group of incredibly determined women in the south of Costa Rica (near the UNESCO World Heritage Listed La Amistad National Park) for over 11 years. ASOMOBI (the Women’s Association of Biolley) is a farming community organization established during a coffee crisis in the 1990s. When the price of coffee plummeted, farmers in Biolley were forced to abandon their coffee fields in search of better work opportunities. This left the women in the village with no way of supporting their families. They united, and developed a plan for a sustainable future involving the construction of the first female-run coffee mill in Costa Rica. Find out more about this incredible project here.

Check out the links below to see what women around the world, no matter the language, culture or race, are aspiring to do and be and hashtag #OneDayIWill on Instagram at @isvolunteers with your inspiration or create your own video where ever you are with your dreams and hopes. As women, we can do anything!